SNAPSHOT | No sign of snap polls from PM: Fahmi; over 10 opposition MPs mulls Umno return - Asyraf

KINI SNAPSHOT | What’s going on in the news today, with updates at 9am, 2pm, 6pm, and 9pm.

9pm 

Elections  

• There are no signs from Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim that the 16th general election will be called in the near future, said Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil.

  The current focus was on resolving issues faced by the public, said Fahmi when addressing speculation that GE16 would be held later this year, Bernama reported.

  He said among the major initiatives requiring careful attention now was the implementation of subsidies for RON95 petrol and diesel.

  

  Fahmi, who is also Pakatan Harapan communications director, said the coalition’s special convention this weekend in Johor will likely address preparations for possible Johor and Malacca elections this year.

  He described the convention, the coalition’s first in four years, as the “first beating of the war drums”, with Harapan chairperson and PKR president Anwar Ibrahim set to deliver the keynote address.

Politics 

• More than 10 opposition MPs are said to have shown interest in returning to Umno, claimed the party’s secretary-general, Asyraf Wajdi Dasuki.

  Without naming the 10 individuals, Asyraf said discussions have been held regarding their return, but some hurdles remain, Komso! reported.

  

  “These are leaders and MPs who had contested against BN in the past,” Asyraf was quoted as saying.

  He claimed that besides the 10, ordinary grassroots members who had left the party have also approached Umno divisions throughout the country.

  Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi previously announced that the party is open and actively approaching former leaders and members who have become estranged from the party. 

Medicine prices

• Medicine prices will remain stable this year following manufacturers’ decision to absorb production and logistics costs arising from the increase in fuel prices.

  Health Minister Dzulkefly Ahmad said this allows the price of medicine to remain stable, with an increase of one to two percent, if any, Bernama reported.

  

  “In addition to maintaining supply, we also want to ensure price control thanks to the pharma (originator drug manufacturing companies) and MOPI (Malaysian Organisation of Pharmaceutical Industries) that produce generic drugs, as so far they have absorbed the increase in logistics costs due to the rise in diesel prices.

  “The prices of medicines remain stable, and if there is any increase, it is only around one to two percent,” he told reporters in Perak today.

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